Chipotle Virus Outbreak Over But Legal Woes from Valley Illnesses Just Beginning

By MARC TORRENCE (Patch National Staff)

An outbreak of E. coli that sickened customers at Chipotle stores across the country is over, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention said Monday. However a criminal investigation into the Norovirus outbreak at a Valley Chipotle restaurant is ongoing.

The totals, according to the CDC: 60 cases, 22 hospitalizations across 14 states.

The center said in a press release Monday that many of the affected customers ate “many of the same food items,” but because many ingredients are cooked together and served in several different food items, the investigation could not link E. coli back to a specific item.

“We are pleased that the CDC has concluded its investigation, and we have offered our full cooperation throughout,” Chiptole spokesman Chris Arnold said in an emailed statement to Patch.

“Over the past few months we have taken significant steps to improve the safety of all of the food we serve, and we are confident that the changes we have made mean that every item on our menu is delicious and safe.”

The national burrito chain has been rocked this fall and winter by outbreaks of E. coli and norovirus that have sickened hundreds nationwide and triggered a criminal investigation.

A subpoena demanding a wide range of documents relating to a norovirus outbreak at a Simi Valley, California, store was received last month, the Associated Press reported.

The Chipotle spokesman would not confirm any further details.

“As a matter of policy, we do not discuss details surrounding pending legal actions, but we will cooperate fully with this investigation,” Chipotle’s Director of Communications, Chris Arnold, said.

Norovirus is a contagious virus that can come from contaminated food, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines, which leads to vomiting and diarrhea.

The company is expected to show a major financial hit when its fourth quarter results are announced Tuesday, according to CNN. The company’s stock was down 30 percent since the initial outbreak was reported, CNN said.

All U.S. Chipotle stores were scheduled to be closed for lunch next Monday, February 8, for a company-wide meeting about food safety and to answer employee questions.

The CDC’s investigation covered two separate outbreaks of E. coli. A larger one sickened 55 people in 11 states beginning on October 19, the CDC said. A smaller outbreak began in December 2015 that affected five people in three states, the CDC said.

Health officials interviewed people who got sick and people who didn’t but couldn’t find a specific food or ingredient responsible for the sickness.

And, “Testing of multiple food items collected from Chipotle restaurant locations did not identify (E. coli),” the CDC said.

It is not clear whether the CDC was also investigating the norovirus outbreak. Patch reached out to the CDC for more information, and we’ll let you know when we hear back.

Related: Chipotle Faces Criminal Investigation After Virus Outbreak

This is a developing story. Refresh this page for updates as they become available.